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I was excited to be in charge of a 13-year-old for a week, but she just saw me as bossy and unyielding. Then our car got stuck on a hill … You’re not very good at this, are you?” It was 2008, when I was 30 and temporarily in charge of my 13-year-old cousin. Those words, spoken as she perched like an avenging angel by the Magimix in my parents’ kitchen, were her verdict on how I was shaping up. Megan as she was then – she switched to her middle name, Ennea, at 18 – had been dealt a rough hand. She had lost her mum aged six, her dad when she was 11, and was now living with my sixtysomething parents – who were off having a little breather for a week. Beforehand, I had been excited. My friends and I were still largely footloose. Children had novelty and anecdote-in-the-pub value. Perhaps even a little cachet? This will be great, I thought. I’ll spend a week being, you know, sage and cool and firm and fair. More fool me, as they say. She didn’t want to go to school – she had a cold and school was horrible – but I said she had to. She wasn’t interested in my peppy exploration of negative numbers. Why couldn’t I just do her maths homework, as quickly as possible, so she could watch television? And why wouldn’t I sleep in her room? The house was old and creaky and scary. What was the big deal? Why wouldn’t I? It got worse. On the Thursday, all jolly-jolly, I said it was movie night. I said we should watch Thelma & Louise, picturing a wholesome lesson in female solidarity. She wanted to watch something else. I pressed play on my choice. Now, Thelma & Louise is obviously amazing. I was nearly 14 when I first watched it, just about old enough to process the ugliness of the attempted rape scene near the start. Megan was too young. I realised I had made a mistake, but didn’t turn it off. I didn’t say: “Look, sorry, I’m being a massive idiot, let’s watch your trashy film instead and I’ll sleep in your room. Let’s sack off school tomorrow, because it’s just a day. And who knows what I’m ever going to be to you, but one thing’s for sure, I’m not your keeper, so I’ll just back right up, shall I?” Why didn’t I? Because I thought I was doing the right and proper thing, along with all the other right and proper things: the right A-levels, the right university, the right graduate scheme. But this thing – doing right by my little cousin – this I properly sucked at. Driving her home from school the next day, up a long, winding hill, I had to stop at a T-junction on the lip of a steep slope. I attempted a hill-start, but stalled. I tried again. Stalled again. And again – and again – and again. A Land Rover behind honked, swerved round us and roared off into the distance. Again I tried. She was in fits of hysterics. Laughing at myself wasn’t my strongest suit back then, but pretty soon I was in hysterics, too. It took me, and I swear I’m not exaggerating, 24 goes to get the car to bite. And with that, something between us reset. I could no longer cosplay the omniscient grownup. I was just a klutz who couldn’t work a clutch. That night she wanted to make us a three-course meal – light candles, use the fancy plates. Idiot-me thought: urgh, mess, hassle, no way. Reset-me said: Yes, sure, great plan, and we’ve never looked back. If we were Russian (I lived there in my mid-20s), I wouldn’t even call her my cousin. I would call her my sister once removed, or just my sister, which is – luckily – what she has become. Superficially, like many sisters, removed or otherwise, we’re pretty different. She’s got innate business savvy, fighting post-Brexit red-tape to start Whim, her ethical swimwear brand. I’m a writer, AKA a business wormhole. She’s got an innate sense of style. I’m winning if I’m washed. And she’s got innate zest, fizzing at parties on nothing stronger than elderflower cordial. I’m an inveterate gen-X boozer. But none of that matters. As soon as I stopped trying to be the boss of her, we started to have fun together – and that is what we’ve been doing ever since. We’re even neighbours. In fact, we just walked our dogs together. She told me the day’s gossip. I told her I was writing this. “Great,” she said. “Work that orphan magic!” The Book of Eve by Meg Clothier is published by Wildfire (£16.99). To support the Guardian, order a copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply You've read 15 articles in the last year Article count on … as 2023 gathers pace, and you’re joining us from Serbia, we have a small favour to ask. A new year means new opportunities, and we're hoping this year gives rise to some much-needed stability and progress. Whatever happens, the Guardian will be there, providing clarity and fearless, independent reporting from around the world, 24/7. Times are tough, and we know not everyone is in a position to pay for news. But as we’re reader-funded, we rely on the ongoing generosity of those who can afford it. This vital support means millions can continue to read reliable reporting on the events shaping our world. Will you invest in the Guardian this year? Unlike many others, we have no billionaire owner, meaning we can fearlessly chase the truth and report it with integrity. 2023 will be no different; we will work with trademark determination and passion to bring you journalism that’s always free from commercial or political interference. No one edits our editor or diverts our attention from what’s most important. With your support, we’ll continue to keep Guardian journalism open and free for everyone to read. When access to information is made equal, greater numbers of people can understand global events and their impact on people and communities. Together, we can demand better from the powerful and fight for democracy. Whether you give a little or a lot, your funding is vital in powering our reporting for years to come. link: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/mar/22/a-moment-that-changed-me-i-could-no-longer-cosplay-the-grownup-to-my-little-cousin

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it has reached an agreement with Ukraine on funding worth $15.6bn (£12.8bn). The organisation's first loan to a country at war is expected to be approved in the coming weeks. It would also be one of the largest financing packages Ukraine has received since Russia's invasion. The IMF recently changed a rule to allow loans to countries facing "exceptionally high uncertainty". "Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues to have a devastating impact on the economy: activity contracted by 30 percent in 2022, a large share of the capital stock has been destroyed, and poverty levels have climbed," IMF official Gavin Gray said in a statement. "The programme has been designed in line with the new fund's policy on lending under exceptionally high uncertainty, and strong financing assurances are expected from donors, including the G7 and EU." Mr Gray also said the agreement would "mobilise large-scale concessional financing" for Ukraine from international donors and partners, without giving further details. The funding still needs to be approved by the IMF's executive board. The IMF expects Ukraine's economy to record a slight contraction or growth this year. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said the funding would help the country "finance all critical expenditure and ensure macroeconomic stability and strengthen our interaction with other international partners". US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who made a surprise visit to Ukraine last month, said: "An ambitious and appropriately conditioned IMF programme is critical to underpin Ukraine's reform efforts." The US is the IMF's largest shareholder and the biggest contributor to Ukraine in terms of money spent. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden announced nearly half a billion more dollars of US military aid to Ukraine. This was on top of the $112bn spent by Congress in 2022 alone. Military aid, which accounts for more than half of US spending on Ukraine, pays for drones, tanks, missiles and other munitions systems as well as training, logistics and intelligence support. Money has continued to pour into the conflict from all over the world since Russia's invasion of Ukraine last February. Last week, the IMF said its executive board had approved a rule change to allow funding for countries facing "exceptionally high uncertainty". Without mentioning Ukraine, it said the measure applied to countries experiencing "exogenous shocks that are beyond the control of country authorities and the reach of their economic policies". link: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65034765

Although the majority of countries will be marking the start of Ramadan on the same day, some countries are expected to celebrate Eid Al Fitr on different dates. Rabat - Oman will be celebrating the first day of Ramadan on Thursday, March 23 with the country officially announcing the news following the crescent moon committee’s meeting this evening. Oman’s news agency said that the crescent moon was visible this evening, and therefore Thursday is the first day of Ramadan. Gulf countries celebrate Ramadan through several traditions, including family visits and breaking the fast together. Ramadan is also marked by increased prayer and Quran reading and recitation to deepen connection with God. During evenings, Muslims flock to mosques to perform special prayers called taraweeh. Taraweeh are extra prayers that Muslims perform following isha or evening prayers. In addition to Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain also announced Thursday as the first day of Ramadan. The holy month is also taking place on March 23 in other regions and countries across the world, including Morocco. Although the majority of countries will be marking the start of Ramadan on the same day, some countries are expected to celebrate Eid Al Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan, on different dates. Countries like Saudi Arabia are expected to fast 29 days this year, while others like Morocco are expected to fast for 30 days for the first time in five years. The official date for Eid Al Fitr is yet to be confirmed later in April, depending on the crescent sighting. link: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/03/354613/oman-to-mark-first-day-of-ramadan-on-thursday

Nick Movie: RENFIELD Time: 2023-04-14 Netflix / Amazon / HBO?: ? Duration of the movie: 1h 33m Trailer:

Music Title: TECHNO MIX 2023 | BERLIN RAVER | Mixed by EJ Signer: - Release Date: 22/03/2023 Official Youtube Link: Informations About The Signer: - Your Opinion About The Track (Music Video): 10/9

Live Performance Title: Anyma & Chris Avantgarde - Eternity [Live from Afterlife Tulum] Signer Name: Anyma & Chris Avantgarde Live Performance Location: - Official YouTube Link: Your Opinion About the Track (Music Video): 10/10

Boris Johnson has submitted evidence to MPs investigating whether he misled Parliament over Covid rule-breaking parties in Downing Street. The former prime minister, who denies misleading MPs, wants his defence to be published as soon as possible. The Privileges Committee said it was reviewing the material to make redactions before publication. Mr Johnson will be questioned by the cross-party committee in a televised session on Wednesday. In an initial report earlier this month, it found Mr Johnson may have misled Parliament multiple times. The committee confirmed it had received Mr Johnson's written evidence on Monday afternoon and would publish it "as soon as is practicably possible". However, a spokesman added: "The committee will need to review what has been submitted in the interests of making appropriate redactions to protect the identity of some witnesses." MPs' Partygate inquiry into Boris Johnson explained Five key findings from Partygate probe update Did Boris Johnson mislead Parliament over parties? Wednesday's session, which could last up to five hours, will be crucial in determining his political future. If Mr Johnson is found to have misled Parliament, the committee will consider whether this was reckless or intentional, and recommend how he should be punished. MPs would have to approve any sanction, but potential punishments range from ordering him to apologise to suspension from the Commons. If he is suspended for more than 10 days, this could trigger a by-election in his constituency. Downing Street sources say MPs will be given a free vote, meaning they will not be told to vote either for or against the sanction. The Privileges Committee, which is chaired by Labour's Harriet Harman, is made up of seven MPs - four Conservatives, one more Labour MP and one SNP MP. Allies of Mr Johnson have raised concerns about the independence of the inquiry. Conor Burns, a Tory MP who served as a minister under Mr Johnson, pointed to a tweet by Ms Harman in April last year, before the committee launched its investigation, where she suggested that by accepting a fine for breaking Covid rules, the then-prime minister would be admitting he misled Parliament. He told BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour: "Boris Johnson contests that but it seems to me the person who is chairing this committee has predetermined it and that causes me a degree of anxiety for Parliament's reputation in handling this with integrity." Tory peer Lord Greenhalgh, who was a deputy mayor under Mr Johnson, told Times Radio he was worried the inquiry would be "a witch-hunt". However, the prime minister's official spokesman has defended the investigation and endorsed comments from Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt that the committee must be able to "get on with their work without fear or favour". Reports of gatherings in government buildings during Covid lockdowns first emerged in late 2021. On several occasions, Mr Johnson, who was then prime minister, told the Commons the rules had been followed. He later admitted his original statements had since proved incorrect. However, he has insisted he believed them to be true at the time and that he had been assured this was the case. An investigation by senior civil servant Sue Gray found widespread rule-breaking had taken place and a police inquiry led to 83 people, including Mr Johnson himself, being fined for attending events. The Privileges Committee's initial report said it had seen evidence that "strongly suggests" Covid rule breaches would have been "obvious" to Mr Johnson. link: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-65012967

Most female mammals have a finite number of egg cells and become less fertile with age, but naked mole-rats seem to be eternally fertile. Now, researchers think they've cracked how these weird mammals do it. Naked mole-rats are among the strangest mammals on the planet. Not only do they live longer than any other rodent ‒ up to 37 years ‒ they can also have babies well into old age. Now, scientists think they’ve worked out how: The remarkable rodents’ secret is that they never run out of egg cells. A new study, published today (Feb. 21) in the journal Nature Communications(opens in new tab), investigated how naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber) stay fertile, and the findings challenge the belief that mammals have a limited reserve of egg cells, established before or shortly after birth, and not replenished thereafter. "Naked mole-rats are the weirdest mammals," lead author Miguel Brieño-Enríquez(opens in new tab), an assistant professor at Magee-Womens Research Institute and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine's Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, said in a statement(opens in new tab). "They're the longest-lived rodent, they almost never get cancer, they don't feel pain like other mammals, they live in underground colonies, and only the queen can have babies. But to me, the most amazing thing is that they never stop having babies." These hairless, burrowing creatures don’t experience a drop in fertility as they get older, unlike most other mammals. But until now, scientists had no idea how. In the study, researchers compared the number of egg cells and death rate of these cells in mice and naked mole-rats at different stages of development. Most female mammals, including mice and humans, are born with a finite reserve of egg cells, which are naturally depleted over time. But the scientists found that this is not the case with naked mole-rats. It turns out that naked mole-rat females are born without egg cells and produce an exceptionally large number of them relative to their body size as pups. As well as lasting longer than in mice, this ovarian reserve is replenished throughout the rodents' life. The researchers spotted signs of egg cells being produced in individuals up to 10 years old. "This finding is extraordinary," senior author Dr. Ned Place(opens in new tab), a professor at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, said in the statement. "It challenges the dogma that was established nearly 70 years ago, which stated female mammals are endowed with a finite number of eggs before or shortly after birth, without any additions being made to the ovarian reserve thereafter." As well as adding to the naked mole-rat's long list of quirks, the researchers think these findings could lead to new therapies for humans. Naked mole-rats live in large colonies where only one dominant female can breed. When she is displaced or dies, subordinate females compete to become reproductively active. "Any girl can become a queen," said Brieño-Enríquez. To find out more about the transition from subordinate female to queen, the scientists removed non-breeding females from the colony. In the absence of a queen, precursor egg cells in their ovaries started dividing — a sign of these females becoming reproductively active. “This is important because if we can figure out how they’re able to do this, we might be able to develop new drug targets or techniques to help human health,” said Brieño-Enríquez. "Even though humans are living longer, menopause still happens at the same age. We hope to use what we are learning from the naked mole-rat to protect ovary function later in life and prolong fertility." link: https://www.livescience.com/naked-mole-rats-never-stop-having-babies-now-we-know-why

Most female mammals have a finite number of egg cells and become less fertile with age, but naked mole-rats seem to be eternally fertile. Now, researchers think they've cracked how these weird mammals do it. Naked mole-rats are among the strangest mammals on the planet. Not only do they live longer than any other rodent ‒ up to 37 years ‒ they can also have babies well into old age. Now, scientists think they’ve worked out how: The remarkable rodents’ secret is that they never run out of egg cells. A new study, published today (Feb. 21) in the journal Nature Communications(opens in new tab), investigated how naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber) stay fertile, and the findings challenge the belief that mammals have a limited reserve of egg cells, established before or shortly after birth, and not replenished thereafter. "Naked mole-rats are the weirdest mammals," lead author Miguel Brieño-Enríquez(opens in new tab), an assistant professor at Magee-Womens Research Institute and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine's Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, said in a statement(opens in new tab). "They're the longest-lived rodent, they almost never get cancer, they don't feel pain like other mammals, they live in underground colonies, and only the queen can have babies. But to me, the most amazing thing is that they never stop having babies." These hairless, burrowing creatures don’t experience a drop in fertility as they get older, unlike most other mammals. But until now, scientists had no idea how. In the study, researchers compared the number of egg cells and death rate of these cells in mice and naked mole-rats at different stages of development. Most female mammals, including mice and humans, are born with a finite reserve of egg cells, which are naturally depleted over time. But the scientists found that this is not the case with naked mole-rats. It turns out that naked mole-rat females are born without egg cells and produce an exceptionally large number of them relative to their body size as pups. As well as lasting longer than in mice, this ovarian reserve is replenished throughout the rodents' life. The researchers spotted signs of egg cells being produced in individuals up to 10 years old. "This finding is extraordinary," senior author Dr. Ned Place(opens in new tab), a professor at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, said in the statement. "It challenges the dogma that was established nearly 70 years ago, which stated female mammals are endowed with a finite number of eggs before or shortly after birth, without any additions being made to the ovarian reserve thereafter." As well as adding to the naked mole-rat's long list of quirks, the researchers think these findings could lead to new therapies for humans. Naked mole-rats live in large colonies where only one dominant female can breed. When she is displaced or dies, subordinate females compete to become reproductively active. "Any girl can become a queen," said Brieño-Enríquez. To find out more about the transition from subordinate female to queen, the scientists removed non-breeding females from the colony. In the absence of a queen, precursor egg cells in their ovaries started dividing — a sign of these females becoming reproductively active. “This is important because if we can figure out how they’re able to do this, we might be able to develop new drug targets or techniques to help human health,” said Brieño-Enríquez. "Even though humans are living longer, menopause still happens at the same age. We hope to use what we are learning from the naked mole-rat to protect ovary function later in life and prolong fertility." link: https://www.livescience.com/naked-mole-rats-never-stop-having-babies-now-we-know-why

This smaller electric crossover will spawn a production model for China at first, but we expect it to come to the U.S. eventually. Kia has revealed the EV5 concept, which previews a future electric compact SUV. The EV5 has similar styling as the EV9, which is a three-row EV SUV slated to go on sale soon. Kia says that the production EV5 will go on sale in China initially, but we expect it to come to the U.S. too. If you like the look of the new Kia EV9 three-row electric SUV, you'll be equally dazzled by its new little sibling, the EV5. Revealed in concept form, this smaller EV crossover shares its blocky, modern styling with the EV9 and previews a production model that will go on sale in China later this year. Kia hasn't yet announced plans for the U.S., but we expect the EV5 to reach our market at some point in the near future. In these images, the EV5 doesn't look all that much smaller than the EV9, and Kia has yet to reveal dimensions for this model. Its wheelbase does look shorter and it has two rows of seats compared with the EV9's three-row layout. Nomenclature-wise, the EV5 name also suggests that it will slot in below the EV6, which is a mid-size crossover with a more low-slung profile, in terms of size and price. Specifications aren't out yet, but we're assuming that the EV5 rides on the same E-GMP platform as Kia's other new EV models. This should enable fast charging thanks to its 800-volt electrical architecture, and multiple battery-pack options and single- and dual-motor configurations may be offered. The EV5 concept's futuristic interior will likely be toned down for production, as it features wide-opening rear-hinged rear doors, a highly minimalistic dashboard layout, and wild-looking front and rear seats. The cargo area features a useful-looking platform that can serve as a table for tailgating, and the seats also swivel in a multitude of ways. This may be more than a flight of fancy, however, as the production EV9 does have swiveling rear seat and something of the sort could make its way into the final version of the EV5 as well. We should learn more about the EV5 in the coming months as Kia prepares the production model for the Chinese market. Kia's announcement says that details for other global markets will come "in due course" so a U.S. announcement may be on the horizon as well. link: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a43366307/kia-ev5-concept-revealed/

You don’t have to poo once a day It’s a widespread misconception that we need to open our bowels every day, first thing in the morning. People worry, but there’s a big variation between individuals – it’s just not something that they want to talk about. What’s really important is knowing what’s normal for you: everybody should monitor their bowel function as part of looking after your digestive health. The first thing to be aware of is frequency. It’s normal for individuals to open their bowels anywhere from three times a week, to up to three times per day. What’s really important is that people know what’s normal for them, so that if anything changes, they can talk to their doctor. The colour and consistency of the stool is also important. It may vary slightly day-to-day, depending on what people eat, but the colour should be a chestnut or mid-brown, and the consistency should be smooth like a snake or a sausage. It should be easy to pass as well. Guts UK!’s online Poo-Torial tool helps you to make sense of your bowel movements. If they are yellow or greenish, or greasy and difficult to flush, that can mean that people are possibly not absorbing nutrients. If diarrhoea and constipation symptoms persist for longer than three weeks, or if people find blood in their stool – they should go to their GP. Julie Thompson, information manager, Guts UK! charity There is no shortcut to finding out which foods you’re sensitive to There’s a lot of confusion around the difference between food intolerance and food allergy. Often a patient will ask for a test that will tell them what foods they are sensitive to, but there isn’t one. We can test for coeliac disease, which is when people have an immune-mediated allergy to gluten and have to go on a gluten-free diet. About one in 300 of the po[CENSORED]tion are true-blue coeliacs, and it’s really important that they are diagnosed. But many more people just feel a bit gassy and uncomfortable after eating bread products, or something else in their diet that is setting them off. The question is, how do you tease that apart? link: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/mar/20/no-you-dont-have-to-poo-every-day-eight-things-nutrition-experts-want-you-to-know

Vladimir Putin has said he will discuss Xi Jinping's 12-point plan to "settle the acute crisis in Ukraine", during a highly anticipated visit to Moscow by the Chinese president. "We're always open for a negotiation process," Mr Putin said, as the leaders called each other "dear friend". China released a plan to end the war last month - it includes "ceasing hostilities" and resuming peace talks. But on Friday the US warned the peace plan could be a "stalling tactic". US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: "The world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia, supported by China or any other country, to freeze the war on its own terms." He added: "Calling for a ceasefire that does not include the removal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory would effectively be supporting the ratification of Russian conquest." What support is China giving Russia? China's plan did not specifically say that Russia must withdraw from Ukraine - which Ukraine has insisted as a precondition for any talks. Instead, it talked of "respecting the sovereignty of all countries", adding that "all parties must stay rational and exercise restraint" and "gradually de-escalate the situation". The plan also condemned the usage of "unilateral sanctions" - seen as a veiled criticism of Ukraine's allies in the West. On Monday, a military band gave Mr Xi a warm welcome to Moscow. Mr Putin hailed China for "observing the principles of justice" and pushing for "undivided security for every country". In return, Mr Xi told Mr Putin: "Under your strong leadership, Russia has made great strides in its prosperous development. I am confident that the Russian people will continue to give you their firm support." Before Mr Xi's arrival, Mr Putin wrote in China's People's Daily newspaper that the two nations would not be weakened by "aggressive" US policy. Publicly, Ukrainian leaders have been emphasising the common ground they have with China - respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity. But privately, they have been lobbying for a meeting - or telephone call - between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Mr Xi. The fear in Kyiv is that China's support for Russia - currently based around technology and trade - might become military, potentially including artillery shells. "If China does move to openly supply weapons to Russia, it will in effect be taking part in the conflict on the side of the aggressor," said Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council. It was in Beijing's interests to stabilise the relationship with Russia, with which it shares a 4,300km (2,700 mile) border, said Yu Jie, a research fellow on China at Chatham House. Russia is a source of oil for Beijing's huge economy, and is seen as a partner in standing up to the US. Ms Yu added that Mr Xi had just scored a diplomatic victory in mediating between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which have now resumed diplomatic ties. This could be a chance for him to explore the opportunity to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. Mr Xi will be treated to a seven-course meal including nelma fish from the Pechora River in northern Russia, a traditional Russian seafood soup and pancakes with quail - alongside Russian wine. Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has indicated there will be a "detailed explanation" of Moscow's actions in Ukraine over dinner. Russian and Chinese delegations will hold talks tomorrow - the main day of the visit. The meeting comes days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Russian president over war crime allegations. This means Mr Putin could technically be arrested in 123 countries - though neither China nor Russia are on that list. Making a trip to Moscow so soon after the ICC's announcement suggests China feels "no responsibility to hold the Kremlin accountable" for atrocities in Ukraine, Mr Blinken said. Western leaders have been attempting since last February to isolate Russia, following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But they have been unable to establish a global consensus, with China, India and several African nations reluctant to condemn Mr Putin. link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-65018657

Morocco ranks 100 out of 109 countries covered in the report, falling behind all other Arab countries. Rabat - Morocco ranks 100 out of 109 countries in the World Happiness Report 2023, lagging behind war-ravaged Iraq, and Palestine. Published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the ranking places Morocco in the category of countries labeled as “weak states.” The report is based on global survey data from people in more than 150 countries. The ranking reflects data on average life evaluations over a period of three years. The 2023 ranking covers 2020 to 2022. To measure average life evaluation, the report tracks six factors: income, health, having someone to count on, having a sense of freedom to make key life decisions, generosity, and the absence of corruption. According to the report the six factors “all play strong roles in supporting life evaluations.” Noting the global situation, the report explains that life evaluations “continued to be remarkably resilient,” throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, and even remained as high as pre-pandemic levels in the years 2017-2019. In the years 2020-2022, acts of benevolence saw a “globe-spanning surge” in 2020 and especially in 2021. The report further shows that even after the COVID-19 storm weathered in 2022, pro-social acts remained 25% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Released on Monday, the report revealed that misery - as reflected in the share of the po[CENSORED]tion with life evaluations of 4 and below out of 10 - dipped during the three COVID-19 years. Topping the list of countries on the happiness index is Finland, maintaining the same ranking for six years in a row, followed by Denmark and Iceland. link: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/03/354570/global-happiness-index-morocco-ranks-among-weak-states

Nick Movie: On A Wing And A Prayer Time: April 5, 2023 Netflix / Amazon / HBO?: ? Duration of the movie: 102 min Trailer:

Live Performance Title: Zera - LIVE (Beogradska zima 2023) Signer Name: Zera Live Performance Location: - Official YouTube Link: Your Opinion About the Track (Music Video): 10/10

Music Title: DJ REMIX SONGS 2023 - Remixes & Mashups of Po[CENSORED]r Songs 2023 | DJ Remix Club Music Songs Mix 2022 🎉 Signer: = Release Date: 20/03/2023 Official Youtube Link: Informations About The Signer: = Your Opinion About The Track (Music Video): 10/8

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Boris Johnson will publish evidence in his defence ahead of a grilling by MPs him over whether he misled Parliament about Covid rule-breaking parties. The former prime minister faces a crucial televised evidence session in front of the Commons Privileges Committee on Wednesday. The committee is yet to publish its final verdict - but its initial update earlier this month said Mr Johnson may have misled Parliament multiple times. Mr Johnson denies misleading MPs. Wednesday's session, which could last up to five hours, will be a key chance for Mr Johnson to persuade the seven cross-party MPs who make up the committee that he did not mislead MPs in December 2021. That would include when he told the Commons that he had "been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken". Sources close to Mr Johnson say he will publish a "compelling dossier" that will provide evidence and arguments that he did not knowingly mislead parliament. If he fails to convince the committee and is found guilty, he could be suspended from the Commons, and even faces a recall petition, which would trigger a by-election, if that suspension is for more than 10 days. Crucially, though, MPs would have to approve any sanction on Mr Johnson. In May last year, an inquiry by senior civil servant Sue Gray found widespread rule-breaking had taken place, and Mr Johnson was among 83 people fined by police for attending law-breaking events. The Sunday Times, Observer and Sunday Telegraph report that Mr Johnson's "dossier" will include advice he claims he was given at the time by No 10 aides, advising him that Covid rules were not broken. The Sunday Times quotes one source saying the messages show "in black and white" that what Mr Johnson told Parliament was what he had been advised to say by officials and his No 10 team, claiming he was forced to rely on advice because he was not at some of the events. The newspapers also report that his defence may repeat allegations of bias levelled at the former top civil servant Sue Gray, whose inquiry found widespread rule-breaking had taken place in Whitehall during Covid. link: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-65001385

In case those licks and wagging tail weren't convincing enough, scientists prove what we already know. Our dogs love us. They really, really love us. The feats that dogs undertake for their owners are the stuff of legend. News stories are filled with tales of pups leading rescue workers to injured owners and heroic dogs protecting children from animal attacks, but a question often arises in these remarkable situations: do dogs help because they love us, or because they see us as a meal ticket? If the experts and studies are to be believed, dogs may actually love people more than food. "I am completely convinced that our dogs love us. There's no question in my mind," Clive Wynne(opens in new tab), a professor of psychology at Arizona State University and the director of the university's Canine Science Collaboratory, told Live Science. Of course, it's one thing to have an opinion about a favorite pet. Proving love — a feat that still dogs humans — is another thing entirely. But studies of varying sophistication, all conducted by inquiring dog owners, appear to back him up. After the death of his beloved dog, Newton, Gregory Berns(opens in new tab), a neurologist at Emory University in Georgia and author of the books "How Dogs Love Us: A Neuroscientist and His Adopted Dog Decode the Canine Brain(opens in new tab)" (New Harvest, 2013) and "What It's Like to Be a Dog: And Other Adventures in Animal Neuroscience(opens in new tab)," (Basic Books, 2017), said he became curious about what dogs felt and thought. So, he trained his dog, Callie, and other dogs to tolerate the noise inside the imaging chamber of an MRI and then analyzed their brain activity. He then subjected the dogs to a variety of scents from familiar and unfamiliar dogs and people. While the smell-region of the brain lit up for all 12 dogs regardless of who the person or dog was, only the familiar scents lit up the caudate nucleus, a region tied to higher-level mental processes such as emotion, motivation and reward and romantic feeling, according to a 2015 study published in the journal Behavioural Processes(opens in new tab). In an additional study of 15 dogs, published in 2016 in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience(opens in new tab), Berns found that 86% showed a similar or higher level of caudate activation in response to praise than they did from food. link: https://www.livescience.com/do-dogs-love-us

The scarcity and high rental-car prices of the pandemic years are looking like a memory, so if you're planning a road trip this spring, you might be pleasantly surprised. Young whippersnappers might not remember that you didn't always have to take out a loan to rent a car for the weekend. Thankfully, after the pandemic years, prices are coming down, and there are even deals to be had. Signs that the rental-car industry is turning around can be found in recent expansion announcements, both about new cars being added to fleets and more rental counters in more locations. We found some deals from Sixt, Hertz, and Avis in case you're looking for temporary wheels soon. The rental-car world is shifting back to normal, sort of. These past few years introduced us to a slew of pandemic-influenced strangeness and incredibly high prices. Remember when it cost $200 a day to rent a car or that unusual U-Haul life hack? But now rental-car prices are coming back down to earth, and some companies are back to offering deals for your temporary wheels. EVs, Luxury Cars Entering the Fleet One way to see how things are on the upswing is recent news about growing capacity. Hertz, for example, announced this week that it will add 2100 electric vehicles to its Houston fleet, nearly tripling the number of EVs available in the area. Hertz is also building a new fast-charging hub at the Houston Hobby Airport. So far this year, Sixt has announced a number of new North American locations, including Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, and Toronto, and has said it will announce further expansion plans later this year. In February, peer-to-peer car-sharing service Turo said it was adjusting its maps of where it expects to see growing demand for vacation rentals for its vehicles, with the Carolina coast predicted to be one such hotspot in 2023. The revival is happening globally, too, with Dubai's luxury-car rentals "skyrocketing," for example. The Vietnamese conglomerate VinGroup, which owns the new EV brand VinFast, announced earlier this month that it had established a new joint stock company called GSM (which stands for Green Smart Mobility) that would focus on renting out VinFast EVs as well as renting VinFast's scooters and operating a taxi service. As you might be able to guess, with all of this revitalized activity, there are now deals to be had if you need to rent a car soon. Here are a few options that might fit your plans. Some Deals Sixt is offering midweek and regional deals, as well as discounts on luxury vehicles at all of its locations through the end of June. The midweek deal—up to 30 percent off—is for anyone who starts their rental on a Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday and ends by Thursday. Or you can choose to get up to 25 percent off the cost of a rental of a premium or luxury vehicle or one from the "extraordinary" category. Some regional Sixt offices are also offering deals up to 25 percent off. None of these Sixt deals are available between April 2 and 22, also known as the prime Spring Break travel weeks. Avis doesn't have as many deals as Sixt right now, but if you spend $175 or more on a rental that lasts three days or more, you can get $15 off. If you need a car for a week or more, Hertz is offering a free day if you rent for five days. The company is also offering a discount of up to 30 percent on your rental if you choose to drive an EV. That's worth plugging in for, probably. link: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a43355834/car-rental-companies-spring-deals/

Allan Jenkins, Observer Food Monthly editor, was born in Plymouth and entered the care system at eight weeks. He was fostered at the age of five They call us “care-experienced”, motherless children brought up in care homes. My brother Christopher and I were fostered in the 1960s, raised from infants by an elderly couple. They had met and married too late for kids of their own. It went well for a while. Within weeks, they’d switched my Christian name and later gave me their surname. Chris was less favoured – a year older, he was maybe more broken, more angry. His names stayed the same. I recovered more quickly from the care home, devouring books and attention. Eager, anything to please, which worked until puberty. I was later sent to boarding school and Christopher was packed off into the junior army. We were no longer little boys. After about a year, I was suspended from school: something to do with sex and drugs. A social worker picked me up. Our family was finished. I reclaimed my name. She had a brittle kind of kindness which wasn’t always suited to the task. She lived in dad’s long shadow For years, I would write them long letters. Starting, dear mum and dad. She couldn’t, wouldn’t reply. They weren’t built for the 1970s: he with his military moustache and beret, her with her pewter perm. But much of who I am was shaped by safety with mum and dad. She had a brittle kind of kindness which wasn’t always suited to the task. She lived in dad’s long shadow. We were good in her last years – reconciled, walking, talking. The cup rattling as she poured the tea. It was her birthday last week and Mothering Sunday today. I remember her when I walk by a river, when I stand by a winter sea, when I see spring snowdrops and primroses. I obsessively grow the flower seeds my foster parents first gave me, I think of her and silently thank her. She was family. My mum. Miranda Sawyer, radio critic, was raised in Manchester and lives in London with her family I’ve been a daughter a lot longer than I’ve been a mother, and I’ve got better at it over the years. When I was younger, I tended to only get in touch with my mum at my life’s extremes: when things were either in the gutter, or soaring to the stars. Now, we’re in regular, low-key contact at all times, chuntering about idiot politicians, recounting the ins and outs of life, as though we lived together and were on the sofa, eating biscuits, watching Repair Shop. Text is the running water of our relationship. We Wordle daily, first thing, messaging when we’re done, offering clues when we’re stuck. She texts me about her aqua aerobics, how my dad’s GP appointment went. I phone her for a chat when I’m walking the dog. link: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/mar/19/dear-mum-writers-reflect-on-the-unique-influence-of-their-mothers